The Executive Home Spa

By Kim Morrison
Founder and Director, Twenty8

There are times when we all need to take refuge from the demands of our busy lives, jobs and businesses. Being able to retreat from the world to soothe, relax and reenergize over tired bodies and incredibly full minds is often what it takes to rebalance and recharge.

However, finding the time and or money to book into a day spa or a week long Retreat can often be a problem. That is where creating your own home executive spa can be the ultimate alternative.

Many spa programmes help you to detox, relax, restore, balance, strengthen and heal. You can create the same effect in your own home spa. Unscented candles, essential oils, diffusers, relaxing music, nice towels, a neck pillow and a bathrobe are all a great start to your home spa repertoire.

A home spa does not have to cost you a fortune. A lavender bath and a salt rub can be just what the body needs to re-energize after a busy day. Eating cleaner, non-processed foods, more fresh fruit and vegetables, increasing your water intake and ensuring functional movement becomes a part of your daily activities can do wonders for how you look and feel.

Spa Essentials

Here is a list of tools you could have in your home to create your own replenishing sanctuary. You can choose any or all when you need a pick-me-up’ or some time-out. And depending on your needs you can choose from the following Spa rituals.

– Stainless steel bowl big enough for both of your feet
– Large marbles to massage feet in foot bath
– Cotton flannels and towels
– Jar of sea salt
– Essential Oils
Relaxing – Lavender, Chamomile, Geranium, Marjoram
Detoxifying – Lemongrass, Juniper, Grapefruit, Tea Tree
Uplifting – Rosemary, Peppermint, Bergamot, Eucalyptus
Balancing – Geranium, Sandalwood, Orange, Cedarwood
Healing – Bergamot, Frankincense, Lavender, Tea Tree
– Natural bristle body brushes
– Glass blending bottles for hair rinses and massage blends
– An eye compress
– Unscented candles
– Diffuser
– Relaxing music
– A natural clay mask for the face
– Cold pressed massage base oils like sweet almond, jojoba or macadamia

Detox
Many common ailments are related to a build up of toxins in the body. Persistent fatigue, feelings of depression or feeling unable to cope, along with skin conditions, stress, headaches or a weakened immune system can all be signs the body is not coping. Eliminating or limiting things like alcohol, sugar, salt, caffeine and processed foods is a great start. Increasing water intake, eating fresh fruits and vegetables and less processed foods will definitely support the body to eliminate excess toxins and decrease stress. Taking quality supplements like colloidal minerals, food based vitamins like camu camu and olive leaf extract can also be highly beneficial.

Steams & Masks
You don’t have to go to a beauty salon or spa to enjoy these treatments. Fill a bowl with very hot water and add 4 drops in total of gentle oils like lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, chamomile or orange. Place a towel over the head and allow the steam to cause the skin to sweat. Your nose may start to run as well! Steaming is very cleansing and refreshing.

You can make your own masks by using things like fresh herbs cut finely, oatmeal, water, fullers earth clay, egg white and lemon juice. Or you can use a natural clay mask you enjoy. It is wise not to over cleanse the skin. Having a facial mask once a week is more than adequate.

Eye & Face Refreshers
Placing soaked chamomile tea bags on the eyes when feeling fatigued or have a tension headache can do wonders. Making a spritzer by filling a 100ml bottle with water and adding 6 drops total of your essential oils and using as a facial spray is very refreshing and helps to hydrate and tone the skin. Favourite essential oils for the face are Rose, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lime, Palmarosa, Rosewood or Geranium.

Daily Body Boost Massage
Every morning before you get dressed and prepare for the day give yourself an all over nourishing massage. Simply place approximately a teaspoon of cold pressed carrier oil like sweet almond or jojoba into a small glass bowl. Add 3 drops total of your chosen essential oils or blend depending on how you feel. Mix and then rub briskly over the whole body from toes to head. Use only a small amount of oil so that your clothes do not absorb the oils. This is a beautiful, positive way to give thanks to your amazing body every day.

Hair Rinse
Fill a 100ml glass blending bottle with warm water. Add 4-6 drops chosen essential oils like lavender, geranium, lemon, rosemary, cedarwood or chamomile. Wash and condition hair as normal then before you hop out of the shower shake the bottle and pour all over the head. Dry and style your hair as you normally do.

Body Brushing
This is a super quick invigorating ritual for the busy person. Use a natural bristle body brush before hopping into the shower or bath onto dry skin. Or you can take it into the bath and wet body brush. Both work well. It is a fantastic way to revitalise tired skin and boost the body’s ability to detox. Add a few drops of your favourite essential oil and brush over the entire body avoiding the face.

Exfoliate
Sea salt is an effective exfoliant. Once again you can add your chosen essential oils to a handful of salt to enhance this full body treatment. Wet the entire body then stand (if in the bath) or move our of the falling water (if in the shower) and rub the body with a salt blend. Your skin feels so clean and soft after this ritual.

Relax and Slow Down
Most of us lead hectic busy lives. Taking time out can be a challenge for many but it is essential if you want to lead a more balanced life. A long bath, turning the television off and reading or getting back to nature by going for a nice walk can all do wonders for the soul. Bare feet onto the grass, soil or sand can do wonders to earth your mind and body. Meditating and gentle yoga stretches can help relax the mind and relieve tension in the body. Don’t underestimate long deep breaths to help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system which is the rest and digest regulator.

Home Spa Products
There are some fantastic home spa products you can purchase now. Things like a foot spa or electric massager are wonderful tools to use in your home spa. Health food stores and some appliance stores will stock these.

The most important thing to remember is that taking care of yourself, making time to nurture and rest your mind, body and soul and saying you are worth it are all an essential part of health and wellness. And when you do take the time, you find you have more energy, zest and vitality to give even more of yourself.

Indulge and take care.
Kim xx